Five Ways that Santa Barbara Is Plagued by Trump Policies, Right Now
First in a series chronicling the direct local impacts of the national policies propounded by the reality TV show president’s administration
By Shelby Appice
Amid the sturm und drang of Donald Trump’s ventures over tariffs, immigration and foreign alliances, his actions are having real-life, below-the-radar consequences for a host of organizations and individuals on the Central Coast. Here are five of them:
UCSB Project for trans youth mental health defunded.
Dr. Miya Barnett, UCSB associate professor of clinical psychology at the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, recently lost over $400,000 in National Institutes of Health funding for a mental health initiative aimed at supporting transgender youth and their families. The grant was among many nationwide canceled under Trump’s sweeping cuts to federally funded research — part of a broader rollback targeting health, equity, and diversity-focused programs. Local leaders warn the cuts not only harm vulnerable communities, but also threaten Santa Barbara’s research economy and public health infrastructure.
Santa Barbara’s housing crisis deepened.
Santa Barbara County already ranks as one of the least affordable places to live in the nation and is likely to face even steeper housing costs under Trump’s proposed tariffs and mass deportations. Tariffs on materials like Canadian lumber and Mexican drywall would drive up construction costs, while deportations could shrink the labor force — both making it harder to build affordable homes and worsening the local housing shortage.
Santa Barbara County federal food program hit with cuts.
With federal funding slashed, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County faces a projected $1.5 million in food loss — just as food insecurity reaches a 10-year high in the county, which also has the second-highest poverty rate of any California County. Cuts to USDA and state programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), and CalFood put thousands of local families, children, and seniors at greater risk and unable to meet basic needs.
Enviros challenge Administration’s support for oil company in pipeline dispute.
The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the Trump Administration’s Secretary of the Interior Secretary, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Douglas Boren, its Pacific Regional Director, for allowing Sable Offshore to restart drilling off the Santa Barbara coast without updating outdated environmental, development and production plans from the 1970s. If the project continues to move forward unchecked, it could lead to increased oil production, pollution, and risk of spills as seen in the past — threatening our local coastline and marine ecosystems.
County moves on information for embattled immigrant communities.
Amid Trump’s court-defying actions, deporting immigrants to foreign jails without a hearing and snatching foreign students off the streets, Santa Barbara County will hold a public forum during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 6 to review how and when local law enforcement has shared information with ICE, as required by California’s TRUTH Act. Residents can attend in person or online to learn more, ask questions, or voice concerns about immigrant rights and law enforcement transparency. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in Downtown Santa Barbara at the County Administration Building Board Hearing Room on the fourth floor 105 East Anapamu Street.
Five-Spot: In Other News…
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival
Join the celebration on April 26 – 27, 2025 to mark the 55th anniversary of the Community Environmental Council (CEC) hosting of the SB Earth Day Festival. Connect with 200+ eco-conscious businesses, organizations and more. There will be live music and entertainment to enjoy as well as family activities. Walk, bike, carpool or opt for public transit this weekend!
Pete Buttigieg – Making Sense of the 2020s: What the Rest of This Decade Will Require From Leaders in Policy, Politics, & Communications
UCSB Arts and Lectures will be hosting former naval officer, mayor of South Bend, Indiana and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at the Arlington Theatre on Tuesday, April 22. In his talk, Buttigieg will discuss the defining challenges of the 2020s drawing from his public service experience..
UCSB Bear Sighting
A black bear was spotted roaming around UCSB campus and student housing. UCPD lifted their request to avoid certain areas early Friday morning citing the bear was believed to be off campus property — but to continue to be aware of surroundings.
Art & Soul Artist Talk
Art & Soul on State Street will be hosting an artist talk with Mick Victor as a part of their “Conversations with Artists” series on Friday, April 25. Here, Victor will explain his creative process, the inspirations behind The Tea Papers and how his multidisciplinary approach shapes his work. A meet and greet will be held from 5-5:30 p.m and attendees will be able to ask questions.
Support Local and Eat Fresh
Discover the best of the season with organic and locally grown produce, farm-raised meats, artisan cheeses, homemade pies, jams, and best in-bloom flowers. Stay connected to the community and support local by shopping at Santa Barbara's weekly farmers markets:
Tuesdays | Santa Barbara Old Town – 500-600 blocks of State St. | 3–6:30 p.m.
Saturdays | Downtown Santa Barbara – Carrillo & State St. | 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Sundays | Camino Real Marketplace – Storke Rd. & Hollister Ave. | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Newsmakers intern Shelby Appice will graduate from UCSB in June with a major in Communication and minor in Professional Writing.